Having granted degrees to two students at the beginning of its first academic year, COA was now eligible to apply for provisional accreditation status through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Though the institution already had official accreditation from the state, getting certified by the NEASC would mean further establishment and credibility within the academic community. COA’s website states that, “Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Commission indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer review process.” Today, COA has full accreditation from NEASC.